New records

13 to 20 Oct – At least three different individuals were seen at various locations between Halfway Wall and Castle Hill, including two together on Castle Hill on 17th (multiple observers including C. Baillie, T. Bedford, R. Campey, A.L. Cooper, S.L. Cooper, T. Davis, J. Diamond, T.A. Jones, I. Lakin, J.W. Leonard, R.M Patient and K. Rylands). Records accepted by DBRC. 2007 was the 7th consecutive year for this species on Lundy.

New records

13 to 30 Oct – Singles calling in flight were seen and heard over the East Side on 13 Oct (R.M. Patient) and at the Castle on 15 Oct (S.L. Cooper). The same or another bird was seen near the Airfield, then flying south, on 18 Oct (C.A. Holt et al.). Finally, one was seen in the Lighthouse Field and campsite on 30 Oct (A. Jayne, J. Smith). Based on these records, at least two and as many as four individuals were involved (it is not uncommon for Richard's Pipits to overfly the island or stop off for only a few minutes, whilst other individuals may remain for several days). Records accepted by DBRC. 2008 was the 8th consecutive year for this species on Lundy.

New record

23 Oct – One flew over the Upper East Side Path and Tillage Field (Richard Taylor), then over upper St John’s Valley and southwards over Castle Hill (Andy Jayne) during the mid-afternoon. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

4 Oct – One flushed just north of Pondsbury was watched and photographed on the ground near the western end of Quarter Wall (A. Jayne). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

30 Apr to 8 May – One seen and heard in flight at the top of St John’s Valley on 30 Apr (Dave Clifton, Colin McShane, Scott Petrek). What was assumed to be the same bird was flushed near the Old Light and landed at the western end of the Airfield on 5 May (Colin McShane) and was in the same general area, on the south side of the landing strip, on 8 May (Ian Searle). Record accepted by DBRC. Only the second confirmed spring record, following one in Apr 1989 (reports of this species in May 1990 and May 1991 were assessed as ‘not proven’).

New record

24 Oct – One flushed from grassland on the Airfield flew off southwards with Meadow Pipits (James Diamond). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

27 to 29 Sep – One on West Side north of Quarter Wall on 27th, on Ackland’s Moor on 28th and north of Quarter Wall again on 29th (Tim Cleeves, Martin Kerby). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

21 Sep – A large pipit, thought most likely to be this species, was seen and heard in flight over Castle Hill (Andy Jayne). Accepted by DBRC as 'large pipit species'.

New record

15 Oct – One flew south over the Airfield at 08:20 hrs (Andy Jayne). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

20 Oct – One was seen and heard in flight as it headed out over Castle Hill and off the island at about 08:55 hrs (Paul Holt).

Update 14 to 16 Oct - The BBRC has determined that the record submitted for a Blyth's Pipit on Castle Hill was 'not proven'; it would have constituted the first for Lundy had the record been accepted. Source: BBRC website (www.bbrc.org.uk). At least three Richard's Pipits A. richardii were also present on the island in mid-October 2007. The possible Blyth's Pipit was a fourth large pipit.

New record

14 to 17 Sep – One was seen near North Light (A. Williams). Record accepted by DBRC; the 11th for Lundy and the first since Sep 2003.

Note that with effect from 1 Jan 2015, consideration of Tawny Pipit records reverted from county level to BBRC.

Highest autumn-passage count of recent years

2 Oct – An estimated 1,000 remains (as of the end of 2023) the equal highest autumn-passage count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2018).

Highest spring-passage count of recent years

27 Apr – An estimated 500 remains (as of the end of 2023) the equal highest spring-passage count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2017).

Photo: Meadow Pipit feeding in Brick Field, 24 Apr 2014 © Richard Campey

Notable autumn-passage count

12 Oct – An estimated 650 was one of the higher autumn-passage counts since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Highest spring-passage count of recent years

25 Mar – An estimated 500 remains (as of the end of 2023) the equal highest spring-passage count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2012). The highest ever spring count was 1,000 on 14 & 15 Mar 1981.

Notable autumn-passage count

12 Oct – An estimated 850 was one of the higher autumn-passage counts since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Spring passage summary and occupation of breeding territories

4 Mar – A substantial arrival brought 42 to the island, mostly north of Threequarter Wall.

5 Mar – The first song-flighting bird of the year was seen and heard at Quarter Wall.

11 Mar – Groups of up to 50 flew in off the sea past the Castle, some landing briefly before continuing north; around 150–200 birds passed by in the space of 5–10 minutes (Zoë Barton).

Highest autumn-passage count of recent years

28 Sep – An estimated 1,000 remains (as of the end of 2023) the equal highest autumn-passage count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2011). The highest ever autumn count was 3,000 on 10 Oct 1986.

3 Oct – An estimate of 700 was among the other higher counts of recent years.

Spring passage summary

Jan to Mar – After a handful of wintering birds in Jan and early Feb, spring-passage was already underway by mid-Feb (a little earlier than usual). Peak counts of 200 and 247 occurred on 17 & 18 Mar.

Notable autumn-passage count

12 Oct – An estimated 600 was one of the higher autumn-passage counts since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Spring passage summary

Feb/Mar –The first obvious pulses of spring migrants were towards the end of Feb, including 16 on 21st and 36 on 23rd. Passage peaked in the first half of Mar, when there were five counts of 100 or more, the maximum being 214 on 3^rd.

Spring passage summary

Feb/Mar – An influx of spring migrants in the last week of Feb brought 42 on 21^st, rising to 88 on 25^th. Passage continued throughout Mar and into Apr, peaking at 243 on 20 Mar.

Spring passage summary

Feb/Mar – Passage commenced at the end of Feb. The highest count was 155 on 22 Mar.

Notable autumn-passage count

13 Oct – An estimated 600 was one of the higher autumn-passage counts since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Ringing

Ringing control: A Meadow Pipit ringed as a first-year bird on Lundy on 8 Oct 2013 (ring no. D184441) was controlled on 31 Oct 2013 at Watercombe Water Works, Cornwood, South Hams, Devon (23 days; 96 km; SSE 149º).

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest 14 Mar 2017 (one); Latest 20 Oct 2012 (one) & 2023 (one). Potential later records of calling birds have not been safely separable from possible Olive-backed Pipit.

Notable autumn-passage count

14 Sep – A count of 14 was among the higher daily totals recorded during autumn passage in recent years (day totals only occasionally reach double digits and the all-time maximum was 25 in four years between 1958 and 1973) and remains the highest since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable spring-passage count

4 May – A count of ten was among the highest recorded during spring passage (the all-time maximum being 15 on both 2 May 1972 and 22 April 1975) and remains the highest since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Exceptionally early spring migrant

14 Mar – One was in Millcombe, on the flanks of the slope up to The Ugly, on the exceptionally early date of 14 Mar (Dean Jones), more than two weeks ahead of the previous earliest record of one on 29 Mar 1965.

Early spring migrant

27 Mar – One was perched in upper Millcombe (Stuart Cossey). The second March record of recent years.

Strong autumn passage

13 Jul to 9 Oct – Recorded on 31 dates, including one calling over Millcombe on the unusual date of 13 Jul, followed by maxima of 11 on 18 Aug and 10 on 2 Sep.

Singing bird in early summer

21 Jun – A highly unusual early summer record of one singing in Millcombe.

Late-autumn record

20 Oct – One calling in flight over the Terrace/East Side (possibly the same individual seen at Quarry Cottages/Quarter Wall on 19 Oct). This equals the latest date since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Summary of all records

Spring – Single birds only were recorded on 12 dates from 17 Apr to 19 May.

Autumn – Logged on 24 dates from 24 Aug (one) to 11 Oct (one), with movements peaking during the first ten days of Sep, including a peak of 13 on 8^th.

New record

23 & 24 Oct – One seen and photographed in St John’s Valley (Andy Jayne, Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor) was only the second for Lundy, the first being exactly two decades previously, from 24 to 29 Oct 1989. Record accepted by BBRC.

New record

7 Oct – One seen and heard around the sycamores on the southern side of Millcombe (Ivan Lakin & Kevin Rylands). Record accepted by BBRC. This constitutes the third record for Lundy (the previous occurrences were in Oct 1989 and Oct 2009).

New records

13 Oct – One was seen well in Millcombe and also heard caling in flight (James Diamond et al.). Record accepted by DBRC; the fourth for Lundy.

14 Nov – One seen and heard in Millcombe (Tony Taylor). Record accepted by DBRC; the fifth for Lundy.

There were records of 'probable' Olive-backed Pipits, based mainly on flight calls, in the south-east of the island on four additional dates during the period 26 Oct to 3 Nov, suggesting that a single long-staying but elusive individual could have been present.

New record

22 Oct – One calling in flight was seen and heard over the Upper East Side Path and Brick Field (T.J. Davis, T.A. Jones). This constitutes the 7th Lundy record and the first since 1997. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

25 to 27 Oct – One in the Castle Hill area (Tim Davis, James Diamond, Tim Jones et al.). Record accepted by DBRC; the 8th for Lundy.

Unproven report

2 Oct – A record of one calling in flight, heading south with Meadow Pipits, over the slope between the Terrace and the Timekeeper’s Hut was assessed by DBRC as 'Not Proven'.

New records

21 Sep – One calling in flight over the Airfield (Andy Jayne).

18 & 19 Dec – One was around Castle Hill on 18th and near the Church the following day (Philip & Helen Lymbery), constituting the first occurrence in winter for Lundy.

Records accepted by BBRC; the 9th & 10th for Lundy. (Note: assessment of records of Red-throated Pipit reverted to BBRC from county level in 2015.)

New record

26 & 27 Oct – One found in the Brick Field during the late afternoon of 26th was still present first thing on the morning of 27th, before flying off south-west at 08.15 hrs (Andy Jayne).

Record accepted by BBRC; the 11th for Lundy.

New record

13 Nov – The calls of one in flight over Millcombe at about 08.00 hrs were recorded using a mobile phone (Dean Jones).

Record accepted by BBRC; the 12th for the island.

New record

26 May – One was seen and heard calling in flight over Pondsbury and Punchbowl Valley during the afternoon (Tim Jones et al.) A brief phone recording of the bird's call was made by Luke Marriner.

Record accepted by BBRC; the 13th for the island.

Record assessed as 'not proven'

2 Dec – The submission for one heard calling in flight over the Lodge garden and then seen feeding amongst rushes in Barton Field was assessed by BBRC as 'not proven'.

Record assessed as 'not proven'

25 Nov – The submission for one flushed at 'Pointless Wall' (between the Airfield and Quarter Wall) was assessed by BBRC as 'not proven'.

Winter flocks

9 to 11 Dec – Flocks were observed feeding on top of the island, e.g. 15 by the Church on 11th, with a maximum count of 30 on 9th, including a flock of some 20 feeding near Old Light. With a further 18 birds recorded in the north and west of the island on 10th, the overall early-winter population was almost certainly in excess of 50 individuals.

Notable autumn count

25 Oct – The autumn maximum was 29 along the west sidelands from South West Point as far north as Threequarter Wall.

Notable breeding-season count

3 May – A total of 26 was recorded during a walk of the entire island perimeter (Tim Davis).

Winter count

26 Jan – A total of 23 counted during a perimeter walk of the island (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

Notable autumn count

28 Oct – A count of 30 was one of the higher autumn totals since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable winter count

28 Dec – A count of 35 was one of the higher winter totals since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable winter count

18 Jan – A count of 39 (from South End, along the West Side to North Light) was one of the higher winter totals since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable early spring count

5 Mar – A count of 33 was also one of the higher totals of recent years, especially for the early spring period.

Notable winter count

23 Jan – A count of 32 was one of the higher winter totals since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Highest count of recent years

30 Jan – A count of 51 made during a walk of the entire island perimeter remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest winter total (and the highest at any time of year) since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable breeding-season count

19 May – A total of 39 was recorded during a walk of the entire island perimeter; the highest breeding-season total since publication of The Birds of Lundy..

Highest autumn count of recent years

16 Oct – A post-breeding flock was present on the slopes above North Light in autumn, peaking at 40 on 16 Oct. This remains the highest autumn total recorded since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn passage summary – highest autumn count of recent years

Autumn migration peaked from 13-21 Oct, with maxima of 6,000 on 18th, 9,500 on 19th and 5,000 on 20th. This was one of the larger Chaffinch movements recorded on Lundy; numbers reached 5,000 or more on only a dozen occasions in previous years. The estimate of 9,500 on 19 Oct remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest total logged since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2010 & 2017).

Autumn passage summary

Autumn migration peaked from 17-25 Oct, with a maximum of 5,000 on 25 Oct.

Autumn passage summary

Visible migration in autumn was less spectacular than in 2007 & 2008, with a maximum of 1,200 on 19 Oct and only five other daily counts of more than 200.

Highest spring-passage count of recent years

1 Mar – A count of 45 reamins (as of the end of 2023) the highest total logged in spring since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn passage summary

Autumn maxima of 1,500 on 17 Oct, 5,700 on 22nd, 8,000 on 25th and 1,000 on 28th. The estimate of 8,000 on 25 Oct remains (as of the end of 2023) the second-highest total logged since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2007 & 2017).

Notable spring-passage count

Mar – A count of 40 remains (as of the end of 2023) the third highest total logged in spring since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn passage summary

One of the poorest autumns of recent year for visible Chaffinch migration, with maxima of 850 on 25 Oct and 920 on 1 Nov.

Notable spring-passage count

18 Mar – A count of 41 remains (as of the end of 2023) the second-highest total logged in spring since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn passage summary

Autumn migration peaked from 19-25 Oct, with a maximum of 2,500 on 25 Oct. 600 were counted heading south in 90 minutes on 13 Nov, showing that autumn passage can be quite protracted.

Autumn passage summary

Due to adverse weather conditions, one of the worst years on record for visible autumn migration, with a maximum of just 600 on 24 Oct.

Autumn passage summary

Unusually mild conditions, with persistently adverse winds for migrants from northern Europe, meant that October finch migration was close to non-existent. Chaffinch counts remained stubbornly low, with numbers only exceeding 100 on six dates in the last week of Oct; the highest totals being 1,400 on 28th, 1,500 on 29th and 350 on 30th. Numbers had dwindled to 50 by 1 Nov, with 120 on 6 Nov being the only further obvious influx of migrants.

Autumn passage summary

For a third successive autumn, weather conditions in late Oct and early Nov were unfavourable for major daytime movements of finches over Lundy and there were just four dates – all in the last week of Oct – when Chaffinch numbers exceeded 100; the maximum of 300 occurred on 26th.

See below for details of a Chaffinch ringed on Lundy in Oct 2009 that was controlled for the second time in Norway in Apr 2015, having previously been caught there in Apr 2012.

Autumn passage summary

The highest autumn passage counts were 3,000 on 25 Oct (the only count of more than 1,000).

Notable spring-passage count

13 Apr – A count of 26 was the highest total logged in spring since 2012.

Autumn passage summary – notable count

Mid-Sep brought the first sign of autumn movements, with 12 on 14th, but it was another month before migration started in earnest: 33 on 12 Oct rose to 100 on 15th, 275 on 19th, 650 on 25th and peaked at 5,500 on 26th, 4,360 on 31st and 2,000 on 1 Nov. Thereafter, numbers declined to 600 on 3 Nov and 130 on 14th – the last three-digit count of the year. The estimate of 5,500 on 26 Oct remains (as of the end of 2023) the third-highest total logged since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2007 & 2010).

Autumn passage summary

The first signs of passage occurred during late Sep and the first half of Oct, with eight on 24 Sep, 10 on 27th and 14 on 7 Oct. The main movements took place in the last two weeks of Oct and included: 160 on 20th, 600 on 21st, 478 on 27th, 1,410 on 29th and 200 on 31st. Passage extended well into Nov, with peak counts of between 400 and 500 on 9th, 10th & 12th, 120 on 16th & 19th and double-digit counts as late as 26th.

Autumn passage summary

The autumn-passage peak occurred as usual in late Oct, with relatively modest maxima of 1,000 on 23rd and 1,700 on 28th. Counts of 100 or more in November were 216 (6th), 193 (13th) and 184 (24th).

Autumn passage summary

Numbers reached the low twenties early in Oct, followed by a sudden mass arrival of 500 on 14th but there were only four other three-figure counts during the rest of the month, all of 300 birds or fewer. A second wave saw numbers peak at 950 on 4 Nov and 400 the next day – the final three-figure count of the season – though small flocks continued to pass through until the end of the first week in Dec.

Autumn passage summary

The first signs of autumn passage were detectable from late Sep (10 on 24^th but numbers were low in Oct, 400 on 17^th by far the highest total logged. Passage was also unusually extended, and though numbers reached triple figures for the last time with 125 on 29 Oct, movements continued throughout Nov and much further into Dec than normal, with relatively late peaks of 78 on 22 Nov, 65 on 9 Dec and 26 on 24 Dec.

Autumn passage summary

The first noticeable autumn movement was 30 on 11 Oct. Passage peaked at 2,000 on 18 Oct with a second peak of 1,036 on 12 Nov. During Oct & Nov there were 11 days when counts exceeded 300 individuals.

Autumn passage summary – notable count

After the first big push of autumn, which saw c.1,500 move through on 16 Oct, a couple of hundred were recorded daily 17^th to 21^st Oct, followed by before 550 on 22^nd, 4,031 on 23^rd and 3,114 on 24^th, the biggest numbers coinciding with south-easterlly winds, is typical for Lundy. The count of 4.031 on 23 Oct was the fourth-highest since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2007, 2010 & 2017).

Ringing

Ringing recovery: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 26 Oct 2007 (ring no. V935134) was found dead (hit window) at Le Chêne, Saint-Colomban, Loire-Atlantique, France (47°00’N, 1°34’W) on 17 Feb 2008 (114 days; 515 km; SSE 155°). This is the furthest south that any British-ringed Chaffinch is known to have moved and may give an indication of the onward direction followed by the very large numbers that passed through Lundy during October 2007.

Ringing recovery: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 07 Sep 2007 (ring no. T949551) was found dead, having been taken by a cat, at Okehampton, Devon on 20 Apr 2008 (226 days; 67 km; SE 137°).

Ringing control: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 14 Oct 2009 (ring no. L026586) was controlled at Bømyra, Randaberg, Rogaland, Norway (a few km NW of Stavanger) on 23 Apr 2012 (922 days; 1,086 km; NE 37°). The first Chaffinch ringing movement involving Lundy and Norway.

Ringing control: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 20 Oct 2012 (ring no. D184049) was controlled at Mulvika, Holmestrand, Vestfold, Norway on 04 Apr 2014 (531 days; 1,320 km; NE 46°).

Ringing control: The Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 14 Oct 2009 (ring no. L026586) was controlled for a second time (see above for details of earlier control in Apr 2012) at the very same location, i.e. Bømyra, Randaberg, Rogaland, Norway on 06 Apr 2015 (2,000 days; 1,086 km; NE 37°).

Ringing recovery: A Chaffinch ringed as a second calendar-year male on Lundy on 26 Apr 2013 (ring no. D184209) was found freshly dead (death attributed to trichomonosis) at Ynys Hir, Ceredigion on 01 May 2016 (1,101 days; 160 km; NNE 18°).

Ringing recovery: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 25 Oct 2016 (ring no. Z981660) was found dying, having having hit a windw, at Lifton, Devon on 12 Nov 2017 (383 days; 64 km; SSE 155°).

Ringing recovery: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year male on Lundy on 20 Oct 2012 (ring no. D184039) was found freshly dead at Kungsgarden, Sandviken, Gävleborg, Sweden on 25 Apr 2018 (2013 days; 1,686 km; NE 52°). This is the third Chaffinch ringed on Lundy in late Oct to have been found in Sweden in a subsequent spring or summer. Together with five other movements involving Denmark (1) Norway (3) and Russian Federation (1), a picture begins to emerge of the source region of many of the Chaffinches that pass through Lundy in autumn.

Ringing recovery: A Chaffinch ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 04 Oct 2015 (ring no. Z420852) was found dead at Blaencelyn, Llandysul, Ceredigion on 22 Jul 2018 (1022 days; 111 km; N 9°).

Earliest in autumn and latest in spring since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest 23 Sep 2020 (one); Latest 23 May 2009 (one), equalling the record late date set by a long-staying male in May 1994.

Highest spring count since 2006: 40 on 21 Mar 2022.

Highest autumn count since 2006: 52 on 14 Nov 2017.

Summary

19 Oct – Highest autumn count: 15.

Summary

25 Oct – Highest autumn count: 20.

Summary

16 Mar – One.

23 May – One; no information on circumstances, but equals the latest ever date (see above).

29 Oct – Highest autumn count: 6.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

25 Oct – Highest autumn count: 15.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

25 Oct – Highest autumn count: 6.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

25 Oct – Highest autumn count: 25.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

24 Oct – Highest autumn count: 4.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

Autumn passage:

21 to 31 Oct – Records on five dates; max 4 on 30th.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

Autumn passage:

14 to 31 Oct – Records on eight dates; max 7 on 28th.

Summary

27 Apr – Two, the only reported spring migrants. (There were no records in the first winter period).

Autumn passage:

26 Oct to 11 Nov – Records on seven dates with a max of five on 2 Nov.

Summary

No late-winter or spring passage records.

Autumn passage:

12 Oct to 24 Nov – Recorded on 21 dates from 12 Oct (three) to 24 Nov (two), with maxima of 15 on 26 Oct, 40, 50 and 25 during the period 31 Oct–2 Nov and a further influx of 52 on 14 Nov, with 26 the following day. This represents the strongest showing of this species for many years; the last time numbers exceeded the 2017 peak of 52 was a quarter of a century earlier, when there were 56 on 30 Oct 1992.

Summary

26 to 31 Mar – A lone male in Millcombe was heard singing on 31st; an event that appears to be a first for the island.

15 Oct to 26 Nov – Autumn passsage migrants were recorded on 21 dates from 15 Oct (one) to 26 Nov (two), with maxima of 14 on 25 Oct and 17 on 29 Oct – a fairly good showing for Lundy.

Summary

28 Mar to 28 Apr – One flew north calling over Old Light in the early morning of 28 Mar, and a female was present on five days between 21 & 28 April.

18 Oct to 2 Dec – Autumn passage was logged on 28 dates in this period, peaking at 12 on 15 Nov – the only double-digit count of the year.

Summary

There were no records for the first winter period or during spring passage. In autumn, the first was logged on the arly date of 23 Sep, followed by records on a further 13 days from 15 Oct (four) to 22 Nov (one), with a maximum of six on 4 Nov.

Summary – exceptional autumn passage

There were no records during the first nine months of the year. The first autumn migrant, a male on 11 Oct, was the vanguard of an exceptionally strong passage, with records on a further 42 dates – far more than in any other recent year – until 9 Dec. Peak numbers were 10 on 23 Oct, 12 on 28 Oct, 41 on 10 Nov and three counts of between 19 and 23 birds from 19 to 22 Nov. Nine on 9 Dec (the last of the year) was an unusually high Dec count for Lundy.

Exceptional spring-passage influx

11 Feb to 8 Apr – Following four on 11 Feb, there was an exceptional spring-passage influx towards the end of Mar, peaking at maxima of 33 on 20^th and 40 on 21^st. Numbers dropped steadily in the subsequent days, with the a final single bird reported on 8 Apr.

Autumn summary

Autumn passage was more typical, with records on 21 days from 11 Oct to 19 Nov, peaking at seven on 19 Oct.

Summary

The ony spring records were of two on 19 Mar and one on 26^th. In autumn, first was recorded on 11 Oct, with a peak of 14 on 23 Oct (coinciding with a major Chaffinch movement).

New record

19 to 21 Oct – A single bird was in Millcombe and the lower part of St John’s Valley, where it was often to be seen on the ground feeding on seed put out by visiting birders.

New record

4 May – One in Millcombe (John Horton). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

17 to 28 Oct – Records of single birds on 17th, 18th, 25th (male trapped and ringed), 27th and 28th were presumed to relate to one individual. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

6 May – One seen and heard flying south along the East Side at Halfway Wall (Mark Telfer). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

5 May – One was in Millcombe (Andy Jayne). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

30 & 31 Oct – A male was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 30 Oct (Rob Duncan et al.). Of three seen the following day, one came in off the sea and flew up Millcombe at 07.20 hrs, while two were
together in lower Millcombe before flying off towards the South Light at 07.40 hrs (Justin Zantboer et al.). Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

7 Oct to 3 Nov – The autumn of 2017 saw an unprecedented irruption of Hawfinches of continental origin across much the UK. Lundy did not get quite the numbers encountered elsewhere in the country, but there were nevertheless records on at least 16 dates between 7 Oct and 3 Nov, with a maximum of 15 on 26 Oct. Two feeding on blackberries on the side of the Ugly on 7 Oct left high to the east at 07.55 hrs on 8 Oct (Tim Davis, James Diamond, Tim Jones). Five were in Millcombe on 14 Oct (Tim Davis, James Diamond, Tim Jones et al.) and at least seven on 15 Oct (Richard Campey et al.). Two in Millcombe on 17 Oct (Malcolm Shakespeare) remained to 19^th, when one was found dead (Chris & Carol Baillie). Five (including the sick bird) were in Millcombe on 18 Oct (Dean Jones & Eddie Stubbings]. One female in Millcombe on 20 Oct (Dean Jones). Two in Millcombe on 25 Oct (Andy Jayne). At least 15 on 26 Oct, with constant movement and birds coming in off the sea; one trapped and ringed (Rob Duncan, Andy Jayne, Justin Zantboer et al.). Four on 27 Oct, of which two trapped and ringed (Rob Duncan, Andy Jayne, Justin Zantboer et al.). One on 28 Oct (Andy Jayne). Four on 29 Oct (Andy Jayne). Two in Millcombe and one in St Helen’s Copse on 31 Oct (Paul Holt), and finally, singles in Millcombe on 1 & 3 Nov (Paul Holt).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

8 May to 2 Jun – A male first seen in a tree in the laundry garden on 8th (Zoë Barton) was seen in Millcombe, on feeders at Pig's Paradise and flying over the Tavern, on 10th (Dean Jones et al.). What seems very likely to have been the same male (though this is by no means certain given the large numbers present in the UK after the influx of autumn 2017) was seen in Millcombe on at least seven further dates from 17 May to 2 Jun (James Diamond, Dean Jones et al.). Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

15 May – A typically wary individual was in Millcombe from 06:30 hrs to at least 10:45 hrs on 15 May (Tim Davis, Dean Jones, Tim Jones).

24 Oct – One flew down Millcombe towards the Castle at 09:00 hrs, calling as it went. Presumably the same bird was over Millcombe flying towards the Ugly flagpole at
approximately 11:30 hrs (Dean Jones, Justin Zantboer et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

16 & 18 Apr – A single female on 16th was "resting on the allotment wall after a run in with the Pied Wagtail pair. The bird was seen again later in the afternoon foraging in Millcombe Wood." (Dean Jones et al.). It reappeared on Sue Waterfield's feeders on 18th.

15 Oct – Two flew over Millcombe and then south over the Castle towards the mainland during a period of strong diurnal migration of thrushes and finches (Tim Davis, James Diamond et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

9 & 10 Jun – A female, found in Millcombe on 9 Jun by visiting birders searching for the Sulphur-bellied Warbler, remained until 10^th when it was in Turkey oaks and sycamores behind Bramble Villa (Dean Jones, Rebecca & Richard Taylor).

22 Dec – One calling from the edge of Millcombe Wood above Bramble Villa was seen briefly as it flew off on this exceptionally unusual date for Lundy (Stuart Cossey).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

18 Apr to 21 Apr – A female was ringed in Millcombe on 18^th (Chris Dee); one on 21^st was likely the same bird (Stuart Cossey).

30 Apr – One seen flying over Millcombe then going to roost in the evening (Rob Duncan, Jamie Dunning).

2 & 3 May – A female was ringed on 2^nd and retrapped the following day having put on 2 grams (Rob Duncan, David Kightley).

13 May – One in upper Millcombe (Tim Jones).

19 Sep – A juvenile was in Millcombe (Stuart Cossey, Chris Dee, Tom Wright et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

16 May – Three flew over Millcombe (Thomas Weston).

16 Oct to 2 Nov – One in Millcombe Wood on 16^th (Tim Jones) was followed by further Millcombe occurrences as follows: one on 23^rd, three on 24^th, at least four perched in Millcombe at c.08:15 hrs on 25^th, and two were perched in Millcombe early on 26^th (Greg Conway, Nik Ward et al.). An adult female was trapped and ringed in Millcombe later that day (Joe Parker, Tom Williams et al.). One flew north over the Terrace on 27^th (Ross Bower). Finally, of two birds in Millcombe on 1 Nov, one – a first-year female – was trapped and ringed (Chris Dee, Tom Williams), and a very mobile individual was in the valley the following day (Chris Dee, Joe Parker).

New records

9 May – One female.

6 & 21 Oct – A single female on 6th and a single bird (sex not specified) on 21st.

New records

25 Mar to 18 May – A male in Millcombe on 25 Mar (Paul & Mike Hopes) and 2 Apr; two males in Millcombe on 10 Apr; one on 13 Apr; and further singles on 9 & 18 May.

2 & 3 Nov– A female was seen in Millcombe, mainly close to Blue Bung. Presumably the same bird (though no details were given in the logbook) was also reported on 1 Nov.

New records

27 Mar – A female was feeding on buds in upper Millcombe (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

22 Oct – One (circumstances unknown).

New records

15 Apr – A female was trapped and ringed in St John’s Valley (Rob Duncan).

24 Aug – One was calling persistently in lower Millcombe (Richard Taylor & Tony Taylor).

New records

An exceptional year with records in four months. Birds were present in Apr/May, though there was no evidence of any breeding behaviour and all are presumed to have been passage migrants.

8 Jan – A male was in Millcombe on 8 Jan (Jim Campbell).

6 to 15 Apr – A pair were in Millcombe on 6th, with a female trapped and ringed on 7th. An exceptional five birds – four females and a male – were in Millcombe on 8th, of which two females and the male were trapped and ringed. The influx continued with a male and a female trapped and ringed in St John’s Valley on 9th (all records 6–9 Apr Rob Duncan).A male was still in Millcombe on 14th (Paul Holt) and one (sex not determined) was calling and seen briefly in flight on 15th (Tim Jones).

25 Apr – One female.

13 to 15 May – One (sex not reported) near Brambles on 13th was heard there again on 14th & 15th.

28 Sep – A female was in Millcombe walled gardens on 28 Sep (Ryan Miller).

New records

27 & 28 Mar – A female, feeding actively, remained in the same blackthorn bush at the head of St Helen’s Combe on both dates (Tim Davis & Tim Jones, Dean Jones).

21 Apr – A female – potentially the same individual as seen in Mar, was ringed in Millcombe on 21 Apr (Chris Dee).

27 Oct – A male in Millcombe (Justin Zantboer).

31 Oct – A female in St Helen’s Combe (Paul Holt).

New records

28 Mar to 2 Jun – A remarkable series of spring records. Single females were seen in Millcombe on 28 Mar, 12 & 21 Apr (Darrin Dowding, Rob Duncan, Martyn Roper et al.). A 'probable male' was reported on 22 Apr (R. Andrew); two females were seen together on 23rd and one was later ringed on the same date (Rob Duncan, David Kightley). One was heard calling in Millcombe, 25 to 27 Apr, and single females were seen there on 28th and on 2 & 5 May – the bird on 2nd confirmed as being unringed (Rob Duncan, Dean Jones et al.). A single female was again noted in Millcombe daily from 29 to 2 Jun (Dean Jones, Tony Taylor et al.). On 31st, "It perched calling near Government House at c.17.00 hrs, flew high in a big loop over the Village and farm, calling constantly, before turning back and dropping into Millcombe again" (Tim Jones).

New records

5 to 8 Jan – A male in Millcombe during the late morning of 5th was still present on 8th in the Secret Garden (Dean Jones).

23 & 24 Oct – A female was in Millcombe on 23 & 24 Oct (Chris Baillie, Justin Zantboer et al.).

New records

25 Mar – A female trapped and ringed in Millcombe (Dean Jones).

31 May – A pair foraging in Millcombe on a highly unusual date (Dean Jones).

27 Oct to 5 Nov – A male and female in Millcombe on 27 Oct, the female being seen on four further dates, up to and including 5 Nov (Dean Jones et al.).

New records

3 Apr – A female feeding on blackthorn in Millcombe (Dean Jones).

21 & 28 Oct – A female was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 21st (Rob Duncan et al.) and a vocal individual dropped into Millcombe on 28th but was flying against the light and it was not possible to sex it (Justin Zantboer).

New records

21 Jan to 8 Feb – An elusive female was seen periodically in Millcombe (Stuart Cossey et al.).

24 Mar – A female in Millcombe.

3 Apr – Two females ringed in Millcombe on 3rd (Chris Dee et al.).

7 Apr – A male in Millcombe.

New record

8 to 12 Apr – A female in Millcombe was the only record during the year (Stuart Cossey, Luke Marriner).

New records

9 May – A female was photographed in Millcombe (Andrea May).

12 & 13 Nov – A female was seen in Millcombe on 12^th and two females were trapped and ringed there on 13^th (Luke Marriner et al.).

Ringing

Ringing recovery: A Bullfinch ringed as a second calendar-year male on Lundy on 08 Apr 2015 (ring no. Z391313) was found fairly freshly dead (road casualty, within about a week) at Redmonsford, north-west Devon on 02 Jun 2020 (c.1,882 days; 36 km; ESE 151º).

New record

13 to 25 May – An unknown finch seen and photographed along the main track near Tibbetts by Barbara & Colin Canavan on 13 May was identified from the photo by Elise & Steve O’Donnell. Shaun Barnes subsequently relocated the bird at Halfway Wall and obtained a number of excellent photographs. The bird remained until it was last seen on 25 May affording excellent views to large numbers of visiting birders. It divided its time between Halfway Wall, Quarter Wall and the Old Hospital. Record accepted by BBRC.

What was presumably the same bird was relocated on the nearby North Devon mainland at Morte Point (near Woolacombe) on 2 Jun.

Trumpeter Finch, 13 May 2011
© Shaun Barnes

New record

20 Oct – A female or immature calling in flight as it headed south over Pondsbury with other finches (R.M. Patient). Record accepted by DBRC. The most recent autumn record prior to this was in Oct 2005.

New records

9 & 10 Jun – A first-summer male in Millcombe, close to Government House, on 9th and between Brambles and Millcombe House on 10th, when it was also heard singing (A. Jayne). This is the first spring record for Lundy since 4 Jun 1999, when one was heard singing in Millcombe. Record accepted by DBRC.

26 Sep to 4 Oct – One was seen regularly in the Millcombe and St John’s area (R. Campey, B. Heasman, I. Lakin et al.).

24 Oct – One seen briefly in Millcombe (I. Lakin, K. Rylands). The most recent autumn occurrence prior to 2008 was in Oct 2005. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

18 Sep – A first-winter bird was trapped and ringed in Millcombe (Colin McShane, Rob Skeates et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

8 Sep to 3 Oct – One seen in Millcombe on 15 Sep (Richard Taylor). One trapped and ringed in Millcombe 15 Sep (Steve & Anna Sutcliffe et al.). A first-winter bir was trapped, ringed and photographed in Millcombe on 18 Sep (Andy Turner & Chris Dee). The bird ringed on 15 Sep was retrapped in Millcombe on 18 & 23 Sep. A first-winter bird bearing a ring on its right leg was seen in Millcombe on 2 & 3 Oct (Tim Jones). All records accepted by DBRC; at least two, potentially three, individuals involved.

New records

8 to 16 Oct – A first-year bird trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 8 Oct remained until at least 13 Oct (Tim Ball et al.). Another first-year bird was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 16 Oct (Tony Taylor et al.). Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

21 Sep to 11 Oct – A first-winter bird seen in Millcombe on 21 Sep was trapped and ringed there on the same day, and was retrapped in Millcombe on 25 Sep and seen again on 27 Sep (Andy Jayne, Chris Dee et al.). A first-winter bird was in Millcombe on 3 Oct, with one (age unspecified) on the Terrace on 4 Oct (Julian Bowden & Tony Simpson). One was seen and heard in flight in Millcombe on 11 Oct (Ivan Lakin & Kevin Rylands). In the absence of any firm evidence to the contrary, all records could have referred to a single long-staying individual, though it seems quite likely that three individuals may have been involved (21-27 Sep, 3-4 Oct and 11 Oct). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

28 & 31 May – A first-year male was singing in Millcombe (Paul Holt, Philip Lymbery).

5 & 6 Oct – A first-winter bird was ringed, having been mist-netted in Millcombe. It was retrapped the following day, when a second bird, an adult female, was ringed, having also been mist-netted in Millcombe (John Haddaway & John Horton). Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

27 to 31 May – One was heard calling and identified independently (on call alone) by two birders on 27th: first, in Millcombe, on the slopes of the Ugly and also further up the valley at 06.00 hrs (Richard Taylor) and then near the campsite at 06.20 hrs (P. Holt). On 31st a first-summer bird flew over Brambles before perching in the top of a sycamore and flying off towards Millcombe, calling as it went (Pete Clabburn, Charles Crundwell, P. Long).

10 Sep – A juvenile was trapped and ringed (Nik Ward).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

29 & 30 May – A female or first-summer male was in Millcombe (Philip & Helen Lymbery, Paul McGowan).

14 Oct – One calling in flight at least ten times over Millcombe and St John’s Valley was heard from the northern flank of Castle Hill during the course of about ten minutes from 07.47 hrs during strong visible migration of Chaffinches and Redwings (James Diamond & Tim Jones; also heard in Millcombe by Ivan Lakin & Kevin Rylands).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

5 to 8 Jun – A first-summer male was singing above the Terrace on 5th and what was presumably the same individual was then singing in Millcombe and near the Tavern Garden on 7th, and in Millcombe again on 8th (Philip & Helen Lymbery, Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

15 to 17 Sep – A first-winter bird in Millcombe, originally seen on 15th, was trapped and ringed on 16th and seen again on 17th (A.J. Bellamy, Peter Slader, Nik Ward).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New record

1 May – A singing male was heard around Millcombe and St John’s Valley during the morning (Chris Baillie, Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

25 May – A singing male was in Millcombe (Tony Taylor et al.). Common Rosefinches have now been recorded on Lundy for 12 years in succession.

20 Oct – A first-winter bird was seen briefly in Millcombe (Andy Jayne).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

21 Sep to 2 Oct – A first-winter bird was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 21 Sep. A first-year bird seen briefly in Millcombe on 26 Sep (Mike Jackson) was thought likely to be the same individual, and the sighting of a ringed first-year bird in Millcombe on 2 Oct (Dean Jones) eventually confirmed the presence of a single long-stayer.

22 to 25 Sep – An adult male perched briefly outside Brambles before disappearing down the valley on 22nd was presumed the same adult male trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 25th (Derek Baggott, Chris Dee et al.).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New record

1 Jun – A brown, second calendar-year male was singing for about 20 minutes in Millcombe during the early morning (Dean Jones).

Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

30 May – A first-summer male was first heard singing from sycamores behind the gas store in lower Millcombe at around 08:00 hrs (Dean Jones). After providing brief views through the canopy, the bird flew off up the valley following a run-in with a territorial pair of Goldfinches and went into stealth mode for the rest of the day. It wasn’t seen again until the evening when it turned up miraculously in a whoosh-net fired by resident House Sparrow researcher Jamie Dunning, whilst targeting what he thought were half-a-dozen unringed sparrows in the Village at the Lodge garden – what a surprise he had when he started to extract the birds he’d caught! The rosefinch was duly ringed and released but was not seen subsequently in the field.

5 to 12 Sep – A first-winter bird trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 5 Sep (Rebecca & Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor et al.) was seen on most days up to and including 12^th when it was retrapped.

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

9 Sep – One in the 'Secret Garden', lower Millcombe (Stuart Cossey, Megan Hollywood Harry).

23 Sep – One ringed in Millcombe (Chris Dee et al.).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

24 May to 17 June – A male was first heard singing intermittently in upper Millcombe (Steve Wing). It was later seen briefly and photographed between Government House and Millcombe Pines, revealing itself to be a 'brown' 2nd calendar-year individual (Richard Campey). What seems likely to have been a single, long-staying but extremely elusive individual was then heard and glimpsed intermittently over the following weeks (multiple observers), with a second bird heard singing in Millcombe on 27 May.

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

2 Nov – A first-winter bird was heard calling and seen briefly in upper Millcombe in the early afternoon (Chris Dee).

Notable autumn count

18 Oct – The autumn maximum of 23 remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2008 & 2013).

Winter record

28 Dec – One; an unusual midwinter date.

Notable autumn-passage count

25 Oct – A count of 15 remains (as of the end of 2023) the second-highest count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2007 & 2013).

Winter record

10 Dec – A male near Government House; rare in winter.

Unusual summer records

23 Jul – One.

22 Aug – two.

Singing male in spring

19 to 23 Apr – A male calling from a perch above the Terrace on 19th, in full song in Millcombe on 20th and last seen on 23rd. The only record of a singing male in recent years.

Notable autumn-passage count

18 Oct – A count of 12 remains (as of the end of 2023) the third-highest count since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2007 & 2008).

Unusual summer record

29 Aug – Two were reported calling from woodland along the East Side.

Unusual summer record

2 Jul – Two by Millcombe Pond.

Unusual summer records

1 & 5 Jun – One was reported on 1st, followed by two on 5th.

New record – subject to acceptance by Devon Birds Records Committee (DBRC)

6 Oct – One was at the ‘turning circle’ and perched on the nearby wall at Old Light during the late afternoon of 6 Oct (Chris Baillie) – the first for Lundy since one near the Castle on 28 October 2003.

Notable autumn count

31 Aug – A count of 400 remains (as of the end of 2023) the joint highest post-breeding/autumn-passage total since publication of The Birds of Lundy and second only to the all-time record of 2,000 on 24 Oct 1974.

Notable autumn counts

13 & 15 Sep – Counts of 400 remain (as of the end of 2023) the joint highest post-breeding/autumn passage total since publication of The Birds of Lundy and second only to the all-time record of 2,000 on 24 Oct 1974.

Record spring-passage count

13 Apr – A count of 271 remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest spring-passage total since publication of The Birds of Lundy and by some margin the highest ever spring count (the previous maximum being 200 in both Apr 1961 and May 1998).

Unusual winter movement

Jan & Feb – There was some unusual movement through the island early in the year, with 24 counted on 12 Jan, 73 on 11 Feb and 26 on 26 Feb, though Linnets were largely absent on most other days in both months (Stuart Cossey).

New record

29 Oct – A first-winter male was trapped and ringed (A.M. Taylor). This record has only recently come to light and now constitutes the first for the island, as well as the first for Devon. It was not available for the review by Diamond (2003), which gave 30 Sep 1988 as the first record for Lundy.

Update

30 Sep – The record of one trapped and ringed on this date now becomes the 2nd occurrence for Lundy (in the light of the recently discovered record for 1986 detailed above).

New record

8 Oct – One showing characteristics of the race C. f. islandica in Millcombe (A.L. Cooper, S.L. Cooper, R.M. Patient). This record came to light after publication of The Birds of Lundy and did not appear in the 2006 LFS logbook or 2006 LFS Annual Report but is listed as “pending” on p.158 of the 2006 Devon Bird Report. It constitutes the 5th record for the island.

New record

26 Oct – A first-winter female was caught and ringed in St John's Valley (A.M. Taylor et al.). Record accepted by DBRC. This constitutes the 6th Lundy record. Lundy currently accounts for all Common Redpoll records for the whole of Devon.

Notable spring counts

6 & 9 May – Eight birds on both dates equalled the then record spring count for the island (which was subsequently exceeded in 2012 – see below).

Notable autumn count

29 Sep – A count of 14 equalled the second-highest ever recorded on Lundy and remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest daily total since publication of The Birds of Lundy. The record stands at 25 on 9 Oct 1997.

Winter records

Dec – Unusually, singles were reported on four dates in Dec, the last of these on 28th.

Winter records

Jan & Feb – Following on from the Dec records in 2009, one was seen daily on feeders outside Pig’s Paradise from 1 to 11 Jan, with the same or another from 30 Jan to 3 Feb, one on three dates to the end of Feb, and daily throughout Mar.

New record count for spring passage

2 May – A new, all-time spring-passage record of ten.

Notable spring count

26 May – Nine was again an unusually high spring count, especially for so late in the season.

As for Siskins, autumn passage was exceptionally poor, with the only records being single birds on three dates.

Singing male

7 May – A male was singing from the roof of Government House.

Singing male and female with nesting material

10 & 13 May – A male was singing from Turkey oaks above the ‘Secret Garden’ in Millcombe on 10^th and, intriguingly, on 13^th a female was seen holding what appeared to be nest material in her bill, whilst perched on Tent Field wall just west of Benjamin’s Chair. However, there was no further evidence of a breeding attempt being made.

New records

5 Sep to 29 Oct – Recorded on seven dates, with a maximum of five on 28 Sep. The first of these was a juvenile that flew down the East Side calling before landing in pines on the southern side of Millcombe. It flew out from the island several times, but returned on each occasion, at one point perching on the ridge of the Church roof! (Tony Taylor, pers. comm.).

New records

14–29 Jul – Recorded on six dates: a male in pines near The Ugly on 14th; a female at Halfway Wall gate on 15th; two males at the Eastern end of Threequarter Wall on 17th; three males and two females on 18th; a male on the Lower East Side Path close to Millcombe on 26th; and a male and female in the trees below Brambles on 29th (J. Cooper, Chris Flower, Paul James et al.).

16 Sep – Four.

New record

8 Oct – A single male seen between Millcombe and the Terrace (Andy Jayne et al.). Andy’s entry in the LFS logbook reads: “At about 09.10 hrs I flushed a female Sparrowhawk from the small quarry just south of VC Quarry. A split second later a male Crossbill appeared right in front of me at the same spot and did not move for several minutes. After a while I noticed that the bird had a lot of feather damage on its nape, as though it had been plucked. It seems likely that the Crossbill had been taken by the Sparrowhawk but I had disturbed it before it had the chance to tuck into its meal! At 09.30 hrs the Crossbill flew off south and was later seen in Millcombe.”

New records

22 & 27 Sep – Two on 22nd, followed by four (three males and a female) flying low over Castle Hill on 27th (Tom Bedford, Richard Campey, Tim Davis et al.).

New record

5 Jun – One was initially heard calling near Hanmers, then seen flying around Millcombe (Richard & Rebecca Taylor).

New records

10 Aug – One was in Millcombe (R.M.R. James).

9 Oct – One was heard calling loudly as it circled Millcombe (James Diamond).

New record

15 Sep – A male that flew in, calling, with three Chaffinches perched atop a spruce tree in Millcombe. It crossed to Millcombe Wood where it stayed for about 30 minutes before flying off to the south-east, calling strongly (Jan Swan, Keith Dean & Chris Dee).

New records

3 to 21 Jun – One flew over Millcombe on 3rd (Dean Jones) and two females were in Millcombe 19th to 21st (Dean Jones).

21 Sep – One was calling in flight over the Terrace (Sam Bosanquet).

14 to 22 Oct – Nine flew south over Millcombe on 14th, followed by up to seven around the valley on 15th – including four perched in the Battlements sycamores (Dean Jones et al.), and finally a female in Millcombe on 22nd (Dean Jones).

New records

30 May – One was flying around the Millcombe area (Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor).

28 Jun – Two were seen and heard in Millcombe (Sam Bosanquet).

24 Jul – One landed briefly in Millcombe pines on (Eleanor Grover).

17 Oct – 12 flew south over upper Millcombe at 13:15 hrs on 17 Oct (James Diamond).

New record

28 Aug – A flock of five flew over Millcombe calling (Stuart Cossey).

New records

22 May – Two males, calling in flight, briefly settled in trees around Millcombe at 07:10 hrs before flying off north a few minutes later (Tim Davis & Tim Jones). Photos taken.

26 Sep – About 12 were reported flying low over Millcombe.

2 Oct – Two that flew in off the sea, landed and fed in Millcombe pines for about 10 minutes, before flying off over the Church (Angus Croudace).

Clarification p.255, first paragraph, third to fifth lines: the bird found at Lee Mill, Plymouth on 8 June 1994 had been shot and was likely to have been reasonably fresh for the finder to know this. It is therefore most likely that this bird was in its breeding area when killed.

Notable autumn-passage count

8 Oct – A count of 400 remains (as of the end of 2023) the second-highest ever recorded for the island, following 450 on 12 Oct 2005 and remains the highest total since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable spring-passage count

24 Apr – A count of 60 remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest daily total during spring migration since publication of The Birds of Lundy. This equals the previous record set on 18 Apr 1972.

Confirmed breeding

Successful breeding on the island was confirmed on 9 & 11 Jun, when recently fledged juveniles were watched being fed by adults in Millcombe, in the sycamores around the stream running down from Brambles. A pair was still feeding young (presumably a second brood) on 12 Aug.

Photo: Adult Goldfinch, Millcombe, 25 Apr 2014 © Richard Campey

Confirmed breeding

A pair was seen with nesting material in Millcombe on 6 Jun and successful breeding was confirmed when an adult was feeding a juvenile near Blue Bung on 4 Jul and five juveniles were begging for food in Millcombe on 8 Jul.

Confirmed breeding

A female and three young (presumed second brood) were outside Brambles East on 13 Aug.

Confirmed breeding

Adults were collecting nest material in Millcombe on 2 & 30 May (Tim Jones, Tony Taylor); a pair were feeding three juveniles in Millcombe on 3 Jun (Rebecca & Richard Taylor), while family parties were seen in Millcombe and near the Tillage Field pig-sty on 5 Jul (Mike Archer).

Confirmed breeding

First fledglings seen in Secret Garden, Millcombe on 31 May (Dean Jones).

Notable autumn-passage count

3 Oct – A count of 230 remains (as of the end of 2023) the third-highest autumn total ever recorded for the island (see also 2011 & 2020).

Confirmed breeding

Six pairs were estimated to have bred in Millcombe, with further single pairs at Quarter Wall Copse and along the Terrace. A pair were carrying nesting material in Millcombe on 5 May, and a juvenile was seen at Castle Parade on 7 Jul.

Confirmed breeding – Lundy population now well-established

At least six breeding territories were located. Lundy's breeding population has become well established during the past decade, following only sporadic confirmation of successful breeding prior to the 2010s. Annual updates will no longer we given here, unless there are further significant changes.

Notable autumn-passage count

15 Oct – A count of 183 remains (as of the end of 2023) the fourth-highest autumn total ever recorded for the island (see also 2011 & 2018).

Ringing

Ringing recovery: A Goldfinch ringed as an adult male on Lundy on 24 Oct 2006 (ring no. T949325) was found dead (killed by a cat) at Tiverton, Devon on 17 Jan 2007 (85 days; 89 km; ESE 110°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a juvenile on Lundy on 19 Sep 2012 (ring no. Y70502) was controlled at Ledstone, Kingsbridge, Devon on 04 Nov 2012 (46 days; 116 km; SSE 147°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a second-year male at Oxwich Marsh, Swansea on 12 Apr 2014 (ring no. D857603) was controlled on Lundy on 25 Apr 2014 (13 days; 57 km; SW 218°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as first-year bird on Lundy on 23 Sep 2014 (ring no. D184888) was found as a road casualty, with a damaged wing, but later released, at Kilkhampton, Cornwall on 23 Oct 2015 (401 days; 36 km; SSE 159°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a juvenile on Lundy on 11 Sep 2017 (ring no. S218196) was controlled at Buttercombe Barton, West Down, Devon, on 13 Nov 2017 (63 days; 36 km; E, 91°). This bird was controlled in the North Devon garden of regular Lundy ringer Chris Dee!

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a juvenile on Lundy on 25 Aug 2017, and retrapped there on 11 & 16 Sep 2017 (ring no. S218151) was controlled at Littlesea, Weymouth, Dorset on 13 Apr 2018 (231 days; 165 km; ESE 113°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as an adult male on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, Ireland on 22 Apr 2019 (ring no. AVA4847) was controlled on Lundy on 24 Aug 2019 (124 days; 338 km; E 96°). It was controlled on Lundy for a second time on 18 Apr 2021, and again on 30 Apr and 14 May 2023. This bird was originally ringed by former Lundy resident, later Warden of Cape Clear Bird Observatory, Steve Wing.

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a second-year male at Oxwich Marsh, Swansea on 02 Apr 2022 (ring no. ADY4106) was controlled on Lundy on 15 Apr 2022 (13 days; 57 km; SW 218°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a second-year male on Lundy on 18 Apr 2021 (ring no. ANL3184) was controlled at Mount St Joseph, Co. Offaly, Ireland on 09 Apr 2022 (356 days; 297 km; NW 313°).

Ringing control: A Goldfinch ringed as a first-year female at Tiptoe, Hampshire on 03 Oct 2022 (ring no. AEX9797) was controlled on Lundy on 28 Apr 2023 (6 months, 25 days; 217 km WNW).

New record – subject to acceptance by Devon Birds Records Committee

18 May – One initially heard calling in flight over the church at 12:40 hrs by Richard Campey, was located shortly afterwards, feeding on the ground at Benjamin's Chair, revealing itself to be a superb breeding-plumaged male. After a few moments, it flew back in the direction of the church but fortunately Richard had been able to take excellent photos. Although the Serin remained largely elusive for the rest of the day, it did re-appear briefly at Benjamin's Chair at 13:40 hrs (Steve Wing) but with no further sign thereafter. This is just the sixth Lundy record (subject to acceptance by DBRC), the last being in late Apr 2005.

Record autumn-passage influx

6 Oct to 13 Nov – An unprecedented autumn for this species on Lundy, with a major movement occurring during Oct. Counts reached three figures daily from 11-23 Oct, peaking at 1,000 on 14 Oct and 800 on 18th. There were also 100 on 7 Nov. Flocks were feeding voraciously on yarrow seed on Castle Hill, on nettle seeds in Millcombe and St Helen's Combe, and were watched ‘leaf gleaning’ in St Helen's Copse. The onward movements of some of these birds are indicated by the following ringing controls and a recovery. All were found east of Lundy between late Jan and mid-Apr – perhaps beginning to move north-east through the UK and The Netherlands having spent the early part of the winter further south and west. Given the date, the bird in The Netherlands would probably still have been far from its breeding grounds and, overall, these movements do not provide any real evidence of where the 2007 Siskin invasion originated.

Prior to 2007, the highest Siskin counts for Lundy were 500 on both 25 Oct 1972 and 19 Oct 2002.

Sparse autumn passage

Very unusually, there were just five autumn records, all of single birds, except for six on 26 Nov. While numbers recorded during autumn passage in 2008–2012 did not reach the dizzy heights of 2007, the annual maxima were all of 100 or more birds. This emphasizes just how poor a season it was in 2013.

Poor autumn passage for the second year running

There were again autumn records on only five dates, 11 to 29 Oct, with a maximum of 40 on 28th.

Slightly better showing during autumn passage

Frequency was much higher, with records on 38 dates, 6 Sep to 31 Oct, though numbers remained relatively low, with the max of 45 occurring on the early date of 13 Sep (peak migration is usually in Oct).

Another below-average autumn passage

22 Sep to 11 Nov – During autumn passage, recorded on just 16 dates from 22 Sep (one) to 11 Nov (two), with a maximum of only 30 on 25 Oct.

Strong autumn passage

7 Oct to 21 Nov – The first of the autumn was a single bird on 7 Oct, the forerunner of what became quite a strong passage, and easily the best since 2007, with records on 33 dates from 7 Oct (one) to 21 Nov (one) and counts ≥100 (all in Oct) comprising 125 on 15th, 350 on 26th, 100 on 27th and 183 on 31st. The Nov maximum was 96 on 1st.

Unusual late-spring records

30 May to 1 Jun – A single male on 30 & 31 May, followed by a pair on 1Jun.

Unusual late-winter/early spring records

25 & 27 Feb – A single bird in Millcombe on 25th and three on 27th.

Moderate autumn passage

12 Oct to 29 Nov – Autumn passage, logged on 21 dates, commenced with one on 12 Oct and peaked at 130 on 15th, 90 on 16th, 70 on 17th and 100 on 23rd. Thereafter numbers fell away with the last two noted on 29 Nov.

Unusual summer record

5 & 6 Jun – A male was on feeders at Paradise Row.

Unusual run of late-spring and early summer records

Although birds were seen throughout the spring, with both males and females present at times, and a male was heard singing from Millcombe Wood on 16 Jun, there was no real indication of breeding. There was an unusual midsummer record of one on 4 Jul,

Strongest autumn passage since 2007

Oct/Nov – A major influx brought an estimated 500 on 17 Oct, followed by another influx of at least 500 on 23^rd. These were the highest numbers recorded since the record-breaking influx of Oct 2007. Many of the mid-Oct arrivals that were trapped and ringed showed relatively low weights at first; the average weight of birds handled on 15 Oct was 10.8g, rising to 12.5g on 21 Oct (Rob Duncan). During a three-week stint from 7 to 29 Oct, Rob and his team ringed an amazing total of 535 Siskins, accounting for more than half of all birds ringed during that time! Records were frequent in Nov, though numbers later in the month never approached the 117 logged on 2^nd. The only Dec records were singles on 9^th & 10^th.

Further late-spring and early summer records

May to Jul – Ones and twos were logged on eight dates from 1 May to 1 Jul but there was again no evidence of breeding.

New record set for highest-ever autumn passage count

Oct – After a quiet start, more significant movements from the second week of the month brought 57 on 8^th, 117 on 10^th, 130 on 12^th, 230 on 16^th and 104 on 19^th, ahead of a sudden two-day spike, when 810 on 22^nd and 1,157 on 23^rd arrived in the form of a succession of tight flocks passing quickly south along both east and west coasts, coinciding with major Chaffinch movements. The total logged on 23^rd was the highest-ever one-day count for Lundy, exceeding the previous record of 1,000 set on 14 Oct 2007. Because the flocks were so compact, fast-moving and often hugging the contours of the coast well below plateau-height, it is likely that many were missed. Numbers fell to 334 on 24^th, whilst later in Oct and into Nov the highest counts were in the range 60-90 birds.

Ringing

Ringing recovery: A Siskin ringed as a first-year male on Lundy on 27 Oct 2007 (ring no. V935175) was found dead (hit window) at Tielekenshoeven, Rosmalen, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands on 29 Jan 2008 (94 days; 698 km; E 86°).

Ringing control: A Siskin ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 20 Oct 2007 (ring no. V487662) was controlled at Bratton, Somerset on 20 Feb 2008 (123 days; 81 km; E 88°).

Ringing control: A Siskin ringed as a first-year male on Lundy on 20 Oct 2007 (ring no. V487601) was controlled at Watchet, Somerset on 23 Mar 2008 (158 days; 92 km; E 91°).

Ringing control: A Siskin ringed as a first-year male on Lundy on 21 Oct 2007 (ring no. T949824) was controlled at Thetford, Norfolk on 14 Apr 2008 (176 days; 395 km;  ENE 70°).

Ringing control: A Siskin ringed as an adult male on Lundy on 20 Oct 2007 (ring no. V487649) was controlled at Cressage, Shropshire (14 km south-east of Shrewsbury) on 05 Mar 2011 (1,232 days; 216 km; NE 42°).

Ringing recovery: A Siskin ringed as a first-year male on Lundy on 26 Oct 2017 (ring no. ABB7174) was found freshly dead (hit window) at Nortorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany on 10 Mar 2018 (135 days; 1,031 km; ENE 72°).

Ringing recovery: A Siskin ringed as a first-year male on Lundy on 24 Oct 2021 (ring no. APR5251) was found dead at Byfleet, Surrey on 16 Mar 2022 (143 days; 292 km; E 87°).

Ringing control: A Siskin ringed as a first-year female on Lundy on 27 Oct 2021 (ring no. APR5390) was controlled at Hill Farm, Abermule, Powys on 30 Jan 2022 (95 days; 184 km;  NNE 32°).

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest 29 Aug 2010 (two); Latest 28 Dec 2011 (one). Only one late-winter/spring record: 13 Feb 2020 (one).

New records

7 to 29 Oct – Recorded on 12 dates (multiple observers) with a maximum of at least seven on 18th, including three together on the Airfield (T. Bedford, R. Campey, T. Davis et al.), constituting the highest daily count since six were recorded on 22 Oct 1994. Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

25 Sep to 22 Oct – Occurrences at scattered locations on ten dates. Most records involved single birds, but two were reported on 27 & 28 Sep and 22 Oct (T. Bedford, R.J. Campey, A.L. Cooper et al.).

New records

1 & 2 Oct – Two calling in flight over Tibbetts on 1st; one calling in flight near Government House on 2nd. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

29 Aug to 15 Nov – Two on the main track to the south of Quarter Wall on an exceptionally early date (the previous earliest record for Lundy was 31 Aug 1977) were the vanguard of what became a spectacular autumn passage – a phenomenon observed elsewhere in the UK. Recorded on a further 31 dates to 15 Nov, with maxima of 16 on 17 Sep, 25 on 19 Sep and at least 30 on 7 Oct. It is very likely that that the overall number of birds passing through reached or exceeded the record set in the autumn of 1953 when “probably over 100 individuals” occurred. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

6 to 14 Oct ­– Records on five dates (including one found dead on 11th), with a maximum of six on 14th.

28 Dec – One along the main track between Halfway and Threequarter Walls (James Leonard) was only the third winter record for Lundy.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

6 to 27 Oct ­– Autumn passage records of single birds only on seven dates. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

22 to 24 Oct – One on 22nd, followed by two on 23rd & 24th. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

29 Sep to 29 Oct – Autumn passage records on five dates, all involving single birds. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

19 Sep to 14 Oct – Autumn passage records on four dates, all of single birds, except for two on 28 Sep. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

1 to 20 Sep – Single autumn passage migrants were recorded on 1st & 4th (Richard Taylor) and 19th & 20th, with three on 18th (Andy Jayne). All but the individual on 4th, which was feeding on the main track near Pondsbury, were heard calling in flight, over the Tent/Lighthouse Fields, Old Light and Tillage Field respectively.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

16 Sep to 2 Nov – Autumn-passage birds were recorded on six dates during this period: one on the ground near Threequarter Wall on 16 Sep (Geoff Edmond); three over the water tanks on 15 Oct (Richard Campey); one over Brick Field on 25 Oct (Andy Jayne); one on the Airfield and in flight over the Lighthouse Field on 26 Oct (Andy Jayne); one very flighty and mobile individual seen several times between Middle Park and North Light, and also briefly on the ground just west of the main track near Tibbetts on 27 Oct (Andy Jayne); and one south over the Rocket Pole on 2 Nov (Paul Holt).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

2 Nov – Unusually, there were no Sep or Oct records and the only bird of the year was seen flying over Quarter Wall and heading south across the Airfield (Ross Bower). The near absence of Lapland Buntings in autumn 2018 may have been associated with a cold, late summer in Greenland and drought conditions in Scandinavia.

Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

15 Sept to 1 Dec – Singles calling in flight were logged on nine dates, with the majority between mid-
Oct and mid-Nov (Chris Baillie, Sam Bosanquet, Richard Campey, Dean Jones, Tim Jones).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – including a late-winter/early spring bird

13 Feb – One in Brick Field (Dean Jones); an unusual winter record for the island.

12 Sep to 5 Nov – Autumn migrants were logged by multiple observers on 12 dates during this period, with the majority between mid-Sep and mid-Oct. There were two day-totals of three, on 12 Sep and 8 Oct; all other records were of ones and twos only.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – including late-winter/early spring birds

4 Feb to 6 Mar – Three long-staying birds were in High Street Field from 4 Feb, last seen together on 2 Mar, with two lingering until 5^th and the last remaining individual logged on 6^th. During its stay, one of the birds, which appeared to be an adult male, progressively developed more and more signs of breeding plumage. Remarkably, on 18 Feb, they were joined briefly by two additional birds which also showed quite well-developed breeding plumage, making a total of five. This series of records includes not only the highest-ever spring count for the island, but also the longest-staying known individuals.

11 to 23 Oct – The first of autumn was a single bird at Quarter Wall on 11^th, followed by two on 13^th (flushed at Rocket Pole, then flying towards the Airfield), two on 14^th (South West Field and over North End, respectively) and further singles on 16^th (over the main track), 17^th (Airfield/Pondsbury area) and 23^rd on Old Light track (multiple observers).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – including a winter occurrence

12 Jan – One flew over Barton Field with Skylarks (Stuart Cossey).

13 Oct – One flew over the Airfield calling (Tim Davis, Tim Jones).

30 Nov – One flew over South West Field calling (Stuart Cossey).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

Oct – Singles recorded on 16^th and 20^th to 22^nd at various locations including: the Earthquake, over Quarter Wall/'Pointless Wall', over Quarter Wall Pond, near Pondsbury, over Tibbetts, and over Tillage Field (Ross Bower, Richard Campey, Paul Holt, Tim Jones, Luke Marriner, Paul Mortimer).

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

20 Sep – One flew low, north past Aztec Bay (Jenny's Cove area) and apparently beyond Threequarter Wall (Thomas Weston).

23 Sep – One watched at close range at about 12:30 hrs feeding along the main track just south of Gannets' Combe (Angus Croudace).

11 Oct – One flew south over the Old Light shearwater colony whilst nestboxes were being repaired and replaced (Joe Parker).

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest in spring 4 Mar 2009 (one), Latest in spring 13 Apr 2018 (one); Earliest in autumn 29 Aug 2012 (one), Latest in early winter 31 Dec 2008 (one). Only one Jan or Feb record: 24 Jan 2020 (one).

New records

15 Oct to 25 Dec – Two on 15 Oct then one on 4, 9 & 25 Dec.

New records

3 Oct to 31 Dec – Records of single birds on eight dates.

New records

4 to 17 Mar – One on 4th, three in Brick/Tillage Fields 13th to 15th, two remaining on 16th and one on 17th.

25 Sep to 10 Dec – Records of single birds on four dates.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

5 to 29 Oct – Records on ten dates, with a maximum of six on 11th. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

4 Oct to 29 Dec ­– A strong autumn passage with records on 26 dates from 4 Oct to 10 Nov, including a maximum of 20 on 5 & 6 Oct. Thereafter, ones and twos on three dates at the end of Dec. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

29 Aug to 11 Nov – One near Hanmers on the exceptionally early date of 29 Aug; in fact the earliest autumn date on record for Lundy (a distinction previously held by three on 1 Sep 1974). Further occurrences on 23 dates from 3 Oct to 11 Nov, with a maximum of three on 3, 7–12 & 27 Oct. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

21 Oct to 27 Nov – Recorded on 11 dates, with a maximum of four on 9 & 17 Nov. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

9 & 10 Mar – A single male in the Brick Field area was the only record for the late-winter and spring migration periods.

12 Oct to 19 Nov – A relatively poor autumn-passage showing brought records on 11 dates, 12 Oct to 19 Nov. These all involved single birds, with the exception of three along the main track between Quarter Wall and Threequarter Wall on 22 & 24 Oct and two just south of Halfway Wall on 19 Nov. One was seen being chased by a Merlin over Rat Island and the Landing Bay on 20 Oct. Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

Snow Bunting, Oct 2014 © Richard Campey.

New record

8 Oct – Two; one at North End and one at Quarter Wall gate (Julian Bowden & Tony Simpson) were the only records in an exceptionally poor year.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

18 Oct to 1 Nov – Records of single birds on three dates only: a male above The Battery on 18 & 20 Oct (Mark Darlaston et al.) and one in the Lighthouse Field on 1 Nov (Richard Campey, James Diamond et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

11 Sep to 3 Nov – Autumn-passage records on just six dates during this period: one near Pondsbury on 11 & 12 Sep (Mark Worden et al.); one at North End on 12 Oct (Julian & Maggie Bowden); one on the Terrace on 15 Oct (Richard Campey); one on the Airfield on 26 Oct (Andy Jayne); and one over Millcombe on 3 Nov (Paul Holt).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

12 & 13 Apr – A very bold female, seen initially by Peter Lambden, spent the morning of 12th feeding along the High Street track across from the pigsty and was present in the same area at 18.45 on 13th.

28 Sep to 26 Nov – There were autumn-passage records on seven dates during this period: one watched flying out to sea from the Castle on 28 Sep (Tim Davis) was followed by singles at the Rocket Pole and in flight near the Tillage Field pigsty on 20 Oct (Andy Jayne); at the Rocket Pole on 28 Oct (Paul Holt); along the cliff-tops near Old Light, then flying south over South West Field on 31 Oct (Ross Bower); on the track to the Castle on 1 Nov (Ross Bower); calling over Millcombe on 13 Nov (Tony Taylor et al.); and calling over Quarter Wall on 26 Nov (Dean Jones).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

27 Sept to 2 Dec – Recorded by multiple observers on approximately 40 dates from 27 Sep (one) to 2 Dec (one) with a maximum of 14 – including a flock of 13 a little way north of the stile at the western end of Threequarter Wall – on 15 Oct, though the majority of sightings comprised one to three birds. Sightings were at widespread locations, most frequently along the main track.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

24 Jan – Two over the Terrace (Dean Jones); an unusual mid-winter record for the island.

17 Sep to 6 Dec – Autumn passage was distinctly sparse, particularly wehn compared with 2019. There were records of single birds only on 12 dates, at locations scattered across the island, from the Rocket Pole to North End (multiple observers).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

7 Jan to 26 Feb – A very confiding male logged on 17 dates over this period spent most of its time foraging along either the main track between High Street gate and Quarter Wall gate, or on the track up to Old Light along the edge of South West Field.

5 Oct to 23 Dec – In autumn and early winter, recorded on 16 dates from 5 Oct (two along the main track near Widow’s Tenement) to 23 Dec (one north of Halfway Wall), with maxima of six on 8 Oct (a flock calling flight over North End and heading east out to sea – Eleanor Grover). All other records were of ones and twos.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

2 Feb – One was near Threequarter Wall. The final spring record was of a female present around Quarter Wall and the Old Hospital from 1 to 8 May.

5 Apr – One calling in flight over the Rocket Pole area.

1 to 8 May – A female was present around Quarter Wall and the Old Hospital.

15 Oct to 3 Nov – Small numbers were recorded on 13 dates with a maximum of eight on 22 Oct.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

4 Oct – One along the West Side at Threequarter Wall (Joe Parker).

23 Oct – One seen perched briefly at Dead Cow Point, flew north towards Middle Park and was later seen feeding at the western end of Halfway Wall (Tim Jones, Luke Marriner, Joe Parker).

27 Oct – Three at Tibbetts (Matt Stritch).

30 Dec – A first-winter bird, dazzled and ringed at 21:00 hrs in South West Field (Luke Marriner, Joe Parker).

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

7 Oct to 13 Nov – Logged on at least 22 dates during this period, with the first individual at North End on 7^th, and an Oct maximum of seven on 22^nd. An exceptional influx at the start of Nov, brough colossal counts (for Lundy) of 42 on 1^st and 44 on 2^nd, including flocks of 12 and 29 seen simultaneously. Twenty-five were feeding in South West Field on 6 Nov, whilst 14 were still present at South West Point on 13 Nov (including at least two ringed individuals). Nocturnal ringing sessions resulted in eight Snow Buntings being ringed, including singles on 24 & 30 Oct, one on 4 Nov, and five on 5 Nov (Brennig Hughes, Joe Parker, Tom Williams). The counts of 42 and 44 logged on 1 & 2 Nov equalled, then exceeded, the previous record day-total for Lundy of 42, set some 74 years previously on 9 Nov 1950! Prior to the autumn of 2024, the all-time ringing total for the island (1947 to 2023) stood at just 12!

New record

20 Oct – One heard calling in flight over Castle Hill during a morning of strong southward passerine migration. Record accepted by DBRC; the 18th LFS record and the first since 1999.

New record

3 May – One was seen and photographed in the lambing shed area of the farm. Record accepted by DBRC; the 19th LFS record.

New records

28 Apr to 2 May – One found in St John’s Valley during the early morning of 28 Apr (when the island was being battered by a blustery north-easterly) was relocated there in much calmer conditions on 30^th, where it remained until 2 May (Dean Jones et al.).

5 Dec – One sheltering in the lee of Tillage Field wall on 5 Dec flew off calling towards the Upper East Side Path (Stuart Cossey).

Records accepted by DBRC. These are the first Lundy records since May 2009 and only the 20^th and 21^st overall for the island – 17 of which have been in spring. 

New record

14 Nov – A male was photographed near Pondsbury (R. Percival); the first record for the island since Dec 2005.

New record

5 May – A female perched on top of a sycamore in Millcombe, calling constantly, before flying off towards the north (Ivan Lakin). Sadly, as a result of widespread population decline due to changing agricultural practices on the mainland, this has become an extremely rare species on Lundy.

New record

20 Apr – One seen near the Lodge may also have been present on 19th (Alfredo Sánchez-Tójar, Charlie Smith, Issie Winney).

New record

29 Apr – A male flew up from the ground just to the west of the main track at Quarter Wall and perched alongside Linnets (Sam Bosanquet).

New record

26 Apr – A male was foraging on the main track next to the Lambing Shed in the early afternoon (Dean Jones) – only the fifth record in the last ten years, the most recent of which was at Quarter Wall on 29 Apr 2017.

New record

23 Jun – A male was by Brick Field pigsty before flying north (Stuart Cossey).

16 Oct – One flew southwest over the Church calling on 16 Oct (Greg Conway).

New record

4 Jun – A male was photographed at Benjamin's Chair (per Joe Parker).

Yellowhammers were once a breeding species on Lundy, up until the 1950s at least, and then recorded as migrants almost annually up until the 1970s. Since then, however, there have been widespread population declines due to changing agricultural practices on the mainland (more than 50% decline in the last 25 years), such that Yellowhammer is now a very rare visitor to the island.

New record

16 Sep – A first-winter bird was seen in Millcombe (A. Williams), the first since Aug 2005. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

25 Sep – One seen perched briefly on Threequarter Wall adjacent to the main track at 11.30 hrs was also heard calling in flight. The same or another was on short grass and calling in flight close to Halfway Wall at 15.30 hrs (I. Lakin). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

16 Sep – A first-winter bird with a flock of Meadow Pipits in St Helen’s Field (Steve & Anna Sutcliffe). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

2 & 3 Oct – A first-winter bird at the head of St John’s Valley and on Castle Hill during the evening of 2 Oct was relocated on the Airfield the following morning and later seen flying towards the Old Light (James Diamond et al.) Record accepted by DBRC.

Photo: First-winter Ortolan Bunting, Airfield, 3 Oct 2011 © Tom Bedford

New record

7 to 24 Sep – A first-winter bird found near the Casbah in Millcombe on 7 Sep (Richard Taylor) was seen on the slope below Hanmers on 9 Sep (Tony Taylor). What may have been the same bird, but which seems at least as likely to have been a second individual given the long gap between sightings, was in Millcombe, just above the walled gardens, on 21 Sep (Andy Jayne) and still present on 24th (John Griffin et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

11 to 16 Sep – Three were in the north-east corner of the Lighthouse Field near the boundary with Bull’s Paradise and the lambing shed on 11th (Dave Chown, Richard Taylor et al.). Two
remained on 12th and one on 13th & 16th. Two of the three originally present on 11th were aged – from photographs – as first-winter individuals; the third bird was aged as an adult.

25 to 28 Sep – A first-winter bird was in the area close to the junction between Brick and Tillage Fields (Richard & Fran Castle, Andy Jayne et al.).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

8 Sep – One in Millcombe (Richard & Rebecca Taylor, Tony Taylor).

14 Sep – A first-winter bird in Millcombe (A.J. Bellamy, Peter Slader, Nik Ward).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New record

2 Sep – A juvenile/first-winter bird was on the track outside Quarters in the morning, then briefly above Benjamin’s Chair during the afternoon (Richard Taylor et al.)

Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

20 Sep – One was flushed from the edge of Barton Field with a loose feeding flock of Meadow Pipits (Dean Jones).

Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

12 Sep – One was feeding with Linnets by the Stonecrusher (by the open area between the helipad and the gate into South West Field) before flying off north alarm calling (Ben Rousseau, Joe Parker et al.).

Record accepted by DBRC.

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

30 Sep – One feeding with Meadow Pipits and Linnets by the site of the old Stonecrusher – the rough open area between the helipad and the gate into South West Field (Joe Parker).

7 & 8 Oct – A first-winter individual in Millcombe on 7^th was behaving as if it had just arrived, moving about the valley a lot and associating with finches. It was found again feeding with Meadow Pipits around Acklands Moor on morning of 8^th. It showed very well on both days, and was calling frequently (Angus Croudace, Luke Marriner, Joe Parker).

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

18 to 22 Oct – One found among grass tussocks near the main track on Castle Hill on the morning of 18th (Tim Jones) remained in the same general area until 22nd. It was often rather elusive, spending part of its time concealed within the rough grassland but at other times could be watched feeding in the open along the track, on the Castle 'turning circle' and on Caste Parade (multiple observers). It was feeding with a Snow Bunting on 21st (Brennig Hughes).

New record

1 Nov – One seen briefly in Millcombe (A. Jayne). Record accepted by DBRC. This constitutes the 14th Lundy record and the 16th individual. The most recent previous sighting was in October 2005.

New record

22 to 25 Feb – A first-winter bird in the Campsite on 22nd and in the vegetable gardens outside Pig’s Paradise on 24th and flying over the Tavern on 25th (John Horton & Neil Trout). Record accepted by DBRC; the 15th for Lundy.

New record

29 Sep – One trapped and ringed in Millcombe (Derek Baggott, Chris Dee, John Griffin, Andy Turner). Record accepted by DBRC; the 16th for Lundy.

New record

24 Oct – One was flushed three times from gorse and Molinia towards the western end of Quarter Wall, near its junction with the Airfield wall, during the morning of 24 Oct (James Diamond). What was presumed to be the same bird was seen in similar habitat on the ridge south of Pondsbury about 90 minutes later (Tim Davis), then relocated in the Tent Field in the afternoon (Richard Campey et al.) where it afforded good if rather brief views, at one time perching obligingly on the helipad rope, allowing itself to be photographed. Record accepted by DBRC; the 17th for Lundy.

Unproven report

25 Oct – A report of one flushed and heard calling in flight, on the eastern side of Castle Hill near Hanmers, was assessed by DBRC as 'Not Proven'.

New record

14 & 16 Oct – An elusive individual was at the western end of Quarter Wall (Ivan Lakin & Kevin Rylands). Seen initially in flight and perched atop dead bracken on 14th, it was relocated on 16th when it was again seen in flight and perched on gorse, giving good views of its head pattern.

Record accepted by DBRC; the 18th for Lundy.

Unproven report

17 Oct – A report of one on the Terrace, flying off in the direction of the Timekeeper’s Hut and Quarry Pond, was assessed by DBRC as 'Not Proven'.

New record

23 Oct – A first-winter bird was trapped and ringed in Millcombe (Rob Duncan, Ellie & Justin Zantboer
et al.).

Record accepted by DBRC; the 19th for Lundy.

New record

19 Oct – A first-winter bird was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 23 Oct (Rob Duncan, Dean Jones).

Record accepted by DBRC; the 20th for Lundy.

New record

23 Oct – One was photographed feeding outside Little St John’s (Trevor Dobie).

Record accepted by DBRC; the 21^st for Lundy.

New record

24 Oct – One was calling and flying around Millcombe, perching briefly below Government House enabling record shots to be taken (Paul Holt).

Record accepted by DBRC; the 22nd ocurrence for Lundy.

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

23 Sep – One feeding with a small flock of Linnets on the track near the Lambing Shed and by the pig sty at the northern end of Tillage Field (Chris Baillie, Angus Croudace).

If accepted by DBRC, this will be the 23^rd island record.

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

14 & 15 Sep – One was watched and photographed in the gardens in front of Paradise Row/Quarters. It was seen flying into rushes in the lower part of Tent Field at about 08:00 hrs on 15^th but was not seen subsequently (Adam Day, Shaun Robson et al.).

If accepted by DBRC, this will be the 24^th record for Lundy, the sixth consecutive year, and the earliest ever in autumn. Prior to 2011 there had been no September occurrences on the island.

New record

27 Sep to 1 Oct – A first-winter male was mist-netted in Millcombe (near Government House), ringed and photographed on 27 Sep (John Horton). Not seen in the field after its release, it was assumed to have left the island but was relocated on 30th along the wall dividing the Lighthouse Field and Tent Field between the old stone-crushing machine and the helipad (Ryan Miller et al.). It was still present in the same area on 1 Oct but could not be found the following day. Record accepted by BBRC. This is the sixth record for the island but the first since Oct 1994.

Note that consideration of Rustic Bunting records reverted from county level to BBRC with effect from 1 Jan 2015.

Rustic Bunting, after ringing at Brambles,
27 Sep 2015 © John Horton

Rustic Bunting, Tent Field wall, 30 Sep 2015
© Ryan Miller

New record

10 May – A female was in Millcombe for a short period during the morning (Dean Jones). Writing for the Lundy Birds blog at the time, Dean reported that:

"It was a rather quiet start in Millcombe first thing, with very few migrants moving up the Valley and into the mist-nets. A secretive Lesser Whitethroat near the Walled Gardens got the heart racing and a few singing Sedge Warbler and a fly-over Tree Pipit raised the spirits during empty net rounds. Then as the forecast predicted, the wind picked up and the nets had to be furled. It was then – as I was tying up the last of the nets in the Secret Garden – that I heard a bird 'zitting' high up on the Sycamore in the heart of the garden. Luckily I could just about see its head through the canopy and, as I raised my binoculars, I was immediately met with a beautiful chestnut-and-white face pattern – the markings of a female Rustic Bunting! The bird then flew around the Valley for a few minutes or so, perching briefly again in the trees next to Millcombe House before flying towards St John’s Valley and out of sight."

Record accepted by BBRC; the seventh for the island.

Rustic Bunting, Millcombe, 10 May 2020
© Dean Jones

New record

1 Jun – An adult female or first-year male was found in Barton Field just before 14:00 hrs (Tony Taylor). The bird continued to feed there for the best part of 40 minutes, allowing most of the resident and visiting birders on the island to see it. The bunting then flew off down the field and, despite some searching, was not relocated.

Record accepted by BBRC; the eighth for Lundy and the second consecutive spring occurrence after the one in May 2020.

New record – subject to acceptance by BBRC

25 Sep – A first-winter individual was watched and photographed by Luke Marriner. Initially drinking from pools on the main track just north of the pigsty in the corner of Tillage Field, the bird hopped over a fence and back onto the ground on the edge of Brick Field before being disturbed by a passer-by, at which point it flew in the direction of the Airfield in company with Meadow Pipit. It couldn't be relocated in spite of extensive searching that same afternoon and by visiting birders the following day. If accepted, this will be the third record for the island but the first since September 1989, following the species' catastrophic collapse in both range and population due to massive over-exploitation (for food) on the wintering grounds, particularly in China.

Update

In 2023, following a two-year review of all British occurrences of female and first calendar-year Black-headed Buntings, BBRC published a list of ten records now considered to be ‘not proven’ as Black-headed Bunting, but acceptable as either Black-headed or Red-headed Bunting. Among these was the previously accepted first record of Black-headed Bunting on Lundy, 20 & 22 September 1957. The male Black-headed Bunting seen from 24 May to 4 June 1993 therefore becomes the first accepted Lundy record. See 'Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2022', British Birds 116, pp 546–⁠602 for further information about the review.

New record

26 Aug to 5 Sep – A superb adult male was first seen on 26 Aug perched on the roof of Paradise Row, then feeding in adjacent allotments (Dean Jones et al.). It put in subsequent appearances on 30 & 31 Aug and on 2, 4 & 5 Sep, mainly on the main track next to Brick and Tillage Fields, but as far north as Tibbetts at one point on 31st. This is the third accepted record for Lundy (taking account of the 2023 BBRC review summarised above), the last being in mid-Jul 1997 (also a male, along the main track near Pondsbury). Record accepted by BBRC.

Black-headed Bunting, Main Track, 30 Aug 2019
© Dean Jones

New records

Recorded from 12 to 26 Oct with a max of four on 18th & 26th.

New records

6 Feb – One; the first winter record for many years.

3 Oct to 6 Nov – Records of single birds on six dates.

New records

17 Mar – One.

24 Sep to 26 Oct – Singles on 24 Sep and 1 Oct, plus two on 23 & 26 Oct.

New records

11 Jan – a male photographed in Millcombe; an unusual mid-winter occurrence.

4 to 27 Oct – Records of single birds on seven dates.

New record

4 Oct to 4 Nov – Records on six dates; all of single birds, except for two on 13 Oct.

New records

26 Apr – A male in Middle Park (Alan Rowland).

20 Aug – One; an unusual date.

12 to 28 Oct – Singles on five dates.

New records

24 Oct to 30 Nov – Autumn migrants recorded on five dates, including a maximum of four on 24 Oct.

28 Dec – One; an unusual date.

New records

26 & 29 Apr – One was reported on 26th (L. Armstrong/BirdTrack) and a male was in the marshy area around Quarters Pond and feeding on ‘Alpen’ (!) on the track near Brambles on 29th (Terry Armstrong, Richard Campey, Ann Freeman).

7 to 28 Oct – Recorded on nine dates; mainly involving single birds, but there were two on 22nd & 26th and a notable six on 24th, including a flock of five in gorse towards the western end of Quarter Wall.

Male Reed Bunting feeding outside Brambles, 29 Apr 2014 © Richard Campey

New records

12 to 19 Oct – Three on 12th–14th, rising to four on 15th, five on 16th and six on 17th, including at east four around Quarter Wall, one at Pondsbury and one at Threequarter Wall (many
observers). Finally, one was in Millcombe on 19th. Not recorded in any other month.

A 'blank' year

For the 14th time since LFS recording began in 1947, but only the third time since 1995, this amber-listed bird of conservation concern was not recorded on Lundy.

New records

26 Apr – One; the only spring record.

4 Oct to 24 Nov – There were autumn-passage records on 14 dates during this period, with a maximum of six on 1 & 24 Nov. Most other records were of ones and twos.

New records

26 Jan – A female was at Pondsbury (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

4 Apr – One; the only spring migrant.

1 Oct to 26 Nov – Autumn migrants ocurred on 18 dates with a maximum of eight on 17 & 19 Oct.

New records

2 & 6 Jan – A female was “calling loudly from a gorse bush just south of Pondsbury” on 2nd, with probably the same
bird seen there on 6th (Dean Jones & Zoë Barton).

17 Mar – A “stunning male in near full breeding plumage” was in Millcombe on 17 Mar (Dean Jones).

13 Oct to 17 Nov – During autumn passage three were observed in the Pondsbury/Quarter Wall area on 13 Oct, with two still present the following day when one was also calling in flight over Castle Hill. The year’s peak count of seven occurred on 15 Oct with one over Castle Hill, two in off the sea at the Terrace, one at Threequarter Wall and three at Quarter Wall. Five were between Quarter Wall Pond and Pondsbury on 17 Nov.

New records

Late winter / spring passage – There were four scattered records of single birds from 19 Jan (calling from gorse near the Old Hospital) to 23 Apr (female in Millcombe).

Autumn passage – Recorded on 12 dates from 20 Sep to 8 Nov; there were three on 5 Nov (two at Quarter Wall, one at Rocket Pole); all other days involved ones and twos.

22 Dec – Two; an unusual date.

New records

Late winter / spring passage – The only late-winter/spring-passage records were of two on three dates between 17 and 26 Feb (all in the vicinity of Quarter Wall and Pondsbury), one at Quarter Wall on 29 Mar, one in the Laundry Garden on 1 Apr, one in Millcombe on 9 Apr, and one photographed at Halfway Wall on 10 Apr (all records Dean Jones). In a meagre autumn and early winter showing, one was at Quarter Wall on 17 Oct (Andy Jayne), followed by ones and twos at Pondsbury on four dates from 25 Nov to 26 Dec (Stuart Cossey).

Autumn passage and early winter – In a meagre autumn and early winter showing, one was at Quarter Wall on 17 Oct (Andy Jayne), followed by ones and twos at Pondsbury on four dates from 25 Nov to 26 Dec (Stuart Cossey).

New records

First winter period – A male Reed Bunting was in gorse to the south of Pondsbury on 9 & 16 Jan. Three birds (a male and two females) were in the same area on 23 Jan. A female was by Quarter Wall Pond on 28 Jan.

Spring passage – One calling over Pondsbury on 10 Mar. One above Gannets' Combe on 27 Mar.

New records

Autumn passage – Not recorded until autumn, when the first were two on 2 Oct, with singles logged in Millcombe and at Pondsbury. Thereafter, recorded on most days in Oct, with peaks of five on 14th and six in the third week of the month.

New records

Late winter and spring passage – Three on 28 Jan and one on 29th, were followed by singles on 15 & 24 Feb, the latter sexed as a male. A female at Pondsbury on 26 Mar was the only record for Mar/Apr – typically the main spring-passage period for this species in South West England.

Autumn passage – Recorded on 14 dates from 24 Sep (one) to 23 Oct (five), with a maximum of ten on 16 Oct.

New record

8 Oct – A stunning adult male was found in Millcombe by Angus Croudace during the afternoon. It remained in the valley until dusk, but could not be found the next day, much to the disappointment of assembled twitchers who had chartered boats from Ilfracombe. In fact, it was only seen by a handful of individuals, including members of the island Conservation Team, one or two other staff, and a few visitors, among them the fortunate MARINElife volunteer on board that day's sailing of the Oldenburg. Record accepted by BBRC; the third occurrence of this Nearctic species on Lundy, following much earlier records in Oct 1958 and Oct 1967.

New record

28 Oct – One watched at close range in Millcombe for a few minutes (Tim Davis & Tim Jones), showed characteristics of the eastern breeding population known as ‘Myrtle Warbler’ which has, at times and by some authorities, been regarded as a separate species. The arrival of this individual on Lundy was associated with the passage of a deep, fast-moving Atlantic depression, dubbed by the media the ‘St Jude’s Day Storm’, which moved across southern Britain on the night of 27/28 Oct. Several other North American landbird species were recorded elsewhere in the UK around the same time, while another Yellow-rumped Warbler turned up in Co. Galway, Ireland, on 29th. There is one previous Lundy record (the second for Britain) in Nov 1960. Record accepted by BBRC.

Correction The bird trapped on 27 Oct was a first-winter female, not a first-winter male as stated. The entries in both the 1985 Devon Bird Report and 1985 BBRC report were mistaken and British Birds later published a correction to this effect (British Birds 81: 593).

First-winter male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 6–9 Oct 2001 © Richard Patient.